Improving Pain Management in Nursing Homes: a Pilot Study

Pain management in nursing homes often is inadequate despite the availability of evidence- based pain management guidelines. Barriers to pain management in nursing homes occur on several levels including lack of knowledge and negative beliefs towards pain of care workers. For this embedded mixed-methods pilot study a convenience sample of maximum six nursing homes will be recruited. The planned intervention comprises the implementation of pain management policies, training of all care workers in pain assessment and management as well as training and introduction of a facility pain champion. Quantitative outcomes assessed at baseline, after three and six months include self-efficacy and attitudes to pain of care workers, functional interference from pain and pain intensity in residents. Feasibility and acceptability of the intervention and potential barriers to its implementation will be explored in focus groups and interviews.